LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A FOLDER/BINDER Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to stationery and in particular to binders or folders for containing papers or other documents. 5 Background Art. Various ring binders are known in the art which have a paper sheet retaining device attached to a cover member by a plurality of fasteners, such as rivets, which extend through the cover member and which are deformed, for example, by punching, to securely and permanently fix the paper retaining device to the cover 10 member. Ring binders are generally folders into which documents are easily inserted and removed from, and which may be stored in erect position in a row of folders when individual folders are vertically positioned in horizontally extending rows. 15 Document or file folders, e.g., manila folders, are well known and are employed for collecting, accumulating, and indexing or segregating a plurality of related documents in a unitary volume. Typical applications for document folders include bundling and indexing legal documents and retail sales records. In retail specialty sales, sales receipts are kept as a record of business transactions for each day 20 for financial reasons and as a record of a customer's instructions concerning an order Many document folders employ paper board stock which is so flexible that the folder does not have sufficient stiffness to stand vertically without lateral support. In addition to this, many ring binders and similar folders are designed such that the free edges of the folder may be forced together and are retained apart only by 25 the thickness of the documents contained in the folder. This can result in damage to other items contained in the folder if the folders are stacked as the folder covers are forced together. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part 30 of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention. The present invention is directed to a locking mechanism for a folder/binder, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the 2 abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. In one form, the invention resides in a locking mechanism for a folder/binder, 5 the folder/binder having front cover, a rear cover and a spine portion, the locking mechanism including a first portion associated with the front cover having at least one tab member and at least one opening and a second portion associated with the rear cover having at least one tab member and at least one opening associated therewith, 10 the tab member of the first portion engaging the opening of the second portion and the tab member of the second portion engaging the opening of the first portion to lock the front cover of the folder/binder relative to the rear cover of the folder/binder. Normally the locking mechanism of the present invention will be used 15 with a document folder or binder used to contain loose papers or the like. The locking mechanism is suitably operable between a closed and an open or free condition when the folder/binder is in the closed condition. The folder/binder can be manufactured of a variety of materials such but plastic will generally be used for its strength, relatively light weight and easy of 20 manufacture. The preferred plastic may be transparent, partially or substantially opaque or coloured to suit the preference or desires of the user. Typically, the folder/binder will be at least semi-rigid in order to maintain its shape, particularly when stood on one edge of the front cover, the spine portion and the rear cover as folders generally are stored. The semi-rigid nature of the 25 folder/binder may also help to protect the contents of the folder/binder. The three portions of what can be considered as the folder binder body portion, namely the front cover, the spine portion and the rear cover, will preferably be separated by fold or hinge lines allowing each of the portions to be folded or rotated about each other portion to which it is attached. The fold or hinge lines will typically 30 be weak enough to allow the folding of the portions but will be strong or durable enough to resist breaking due to the repeated opening and/or closing of the folder/binder.
3 The folder/binder will normally be provided with a ring binder mechanism. A typical ring binder mechanism functions to secure half-rings arranged in a row upon carrier rails, which are surrounded by a housing of a spring elastic material. The carrier rails are so introduced into the housing that they can assume two 5 rest positions, one open and one closed. The housing functions as a spring element, which retains the half-rings in their open position or in their closed position. The ring binder mechanism may be provided with a number of rings, typically three or four spaced evenly over the height of the folder/binder. The folder/binder will normally have a front cover. The front cover 10 will normally be a substantially planar sheet member and will generally have dimensions slightly larger that the contents which it is designed to contain. Typically, the folder/binder will be provided in different configurations and sizes to allow for containing different sizes of materials. There may be a plurality of ring engaging means provided on the front 15 cover to each engage with a ring on the ring binder mechanism. Generally, each ring engaging means will take the form of an opening defined by an edge and a protrusion into the opening so that when the front cover is folded to the closed condition, the opening will align with a ring and the ring will be received at least partially in the opening. The protrusion may then engage with the part of the ring received in the 20 opening to hold the part of the ring in the opening thereby holding the front cover in the closed condition until sufficient force is applied to dislodge the ring from the protrusion. The folder/binder will normally have a rear cover. The rear cover will normally be a substantially planar sheet member and will generally have dimensions 25 slightly larger that the contents which it is designed to contain. Typically, the folder/binder will be provided in different configurations and sizes to allow for containing different sizes of materials. Typically, the front and rear covers will be equal in size. The ring binder mechanism discussed above will generally be provided 30 on the rear cover portion adjacent the spine portion. The rings of the ring binder mechanism will generally be oriented to align with the openings of the ring engaging means provided on the front cover.
4 The spine portion of the folder/binder will generally link the front cover and the rear cover of the folder binder relative to one another and will generally be separated from each of the front and rear covers by a fold or hinge line. The spine portion will normally be a planar sheet member, the height of the spine portion being 5 equal to the height of the front and rear covers. The width of the spine portion will normally govern the width of the folder/binder and typically the amount of materia that can be contained in the folder/binder. The spine portion will preferably be provided with one or more openings to facilitate gripping or moving the folder/binder. The spine portion may 10 also be provided with labelling areas or arrangements to allow the folder/binder to be labelled for identification purposes. The locking mechanism includes a first portion associated with the front cover having at least one tab member and at least one opening and a second portion associated with the rear cover having at least one tab member and at least one 15 opening. The locking mechanism will typically be used when the folder/binder is in the closed condition (when the front cover is closed). During operation of the locking mechanism, the tab member of the first portion engages the opening of the second portion, and the tab portion of the second portion engages the opening of the first portion to lock the front cover of the folder/binder relative to the rear cover of the 20 folder/binder. Further, the inter-engagement of the respective tab members and openings preferably results in the locking mechanism providing a substantially rigid edge to the folder/binder on the edge opposed to the spine portion of the folder/binder, making the folder/binder box-like in configuration. 25 The first portion of the locking mechanism is associated with the front cover and has at least one tab member and at least one opening. The first portion of the locking mechanism will suitably include a flap portion. Typically, the flap portion will extend over substantially the entire height of the folder/binder. The flap portion will preferably be of equal dimension to the spine 30 portion in both height and width. By providing a flap portion of substantially similar dimensions to the spine portion, when the flap portion is folded into a locking position approximately perpendicular to the front cover, the closed and locked folder/binder 5 may assume a box-like configuration. The flap portion will typically be separated from the front cover by a fold or hinge line. Typically, the flap portion may have a free edge on the edge opposite the fold or hinge line. Also provided on the free edge may be the at least one tab 5 member. The at least one tab member may be provided as a tongue-like protrusion from the free edge of the flap portion. A tongue-like protrusion will typically be provided approximately centrally along the edge of the flap portion. A single, centrally located tab portion may be provided or more than one may be provided. If only a single tab member is provided, then it is preferred that the tab be approximately 10 centrally located but it need not be. Preferably any tab members provided on the flap portion may extend from the flap portion in the same plane as the flap portion. The flap portion is also provided with at least one opening therein. Preferably, an opening may be provided for each tab member provided on the second portion of the locking mechanism. Each opening will typically extend substantially 15 parallel to the fold or hinge line between the flap portion and the front cover. Generally each opening will be spaced from the hinge or fold line. Each opening will typically be an elongate slot with the smaller dimension of the slot being slightly greater than the thickness of the tab member to be received therein. The second portion of the locking mechanism is associated with the 20 rear cover and has at least one tab member and at least one opening. The second portion of the locking mechanism will suitably also include a flap portion. Typically, the flap portion will not extend over the entire height of the folder/binder, but instead be segmental in shape. The flap portion will preferably be of equal dimension to the spine portion in width but will typically only extend part of 25 the height of the folder/binder. The flap portion will typically be separated from the rear cover by a fold or hinge line. Typically, the flap portion may have a arcuate free edge on the edge opposite the fold or hinge line. The at least one tab member may be provided on the flap portion and 30 spaced from the free edge of the flap portion. Typically, a single tab member will be provided approximately centrally on the flap portion. The tab member will generally be formed from a substantially C-shaped incision in the flap member and providing a fold or hinge line between the tab member and the flap portion. Preferably, the fold or 6 hinge line will be provided adjacent to but spaced from the free edge of the flap portion and the C-shaped incision will extend toward the fold or hinge line between the flap portion and the rear cover. The hinge or fold line of the tab member will typically be spaced from the free edge of the flap portion by a distance similar to the 5 spacing between the opening on the first portion and the front cover. A single, centrally located tab member may be provided or more than one may be provided. If only a single tab member is provided, then it is preferred that the tab be approximately centrally located but it need not be. Preferably any tab members provided on the flap portion may be foldable about the fold or hinge line to 10 extend from the flap portion in a plane which is different to that of the flap portion. Preferably, the tab member may extend in a direction opposed to the direction at which the flap member extends from the rear cover. The flap portion is also provided with at least one opening associated therewith. Preferably the opening may be in or through the flap portion. 15 Alternatively, the opening may be provided in or through the rear cover adjacent the fold or hinge line between the flap portion and the rear cover. Preferably, an opening may be provided for each tab member provided on the first portion of the locking mechanism. Each opening will typically extend substantially parallel to the fold or hinge line between the flap portion and the rear cover. Generally the opening will not 20 be spaced from the hinge or fold line, and instead, each opening may be positioned at the fold or hinge line. Each opening will typically be an elongate slot with the smaller dimension of the slot being slightly greater than the thickness of the tab member to be received therein. The locking mechanism may be moveable between an open and a 25 temporarily locked condition. When in the locked condition, the tab of the first portion is generally inserted into the opening associated with the second portion to form a substantially box-like folder/binder. The tab portion of the second portion is then suitably folded about the hinge or fold line to enter the opening in the first portion to temporarily lock the first and second portions relative to one another. 30 Suitably, the flap portions are positioned to be one inside the other prior to the locking mechanism being operated to the locked condition. Preferably, the tab member of the front cover prevents the flap portion from folding towards or away from the spine portion of the folder/binder and the tab 7 member of the rear cover may prevent the separation of the front and rear covers. It is to be realised that the configuration of openings and tab members described above may be reversed with regard to the front and rear covers. Brief Description of the Drawings. 5 Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of locking mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the open condition. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a second portion of the locking 10 mechanism illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a folder/binder which the locking mechanism of Figure 1 is associated with, the locking mechanism in the closed condition. Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the locking mechanism illustrated 15 in Figure 1 in the closed condition Figure 5 is a perspective view of a folder/binder which the locking mechanism of Figure 1 is associated with, the locking mechanism in the open condition. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. 20 According to the invention, a locking mechanism for a folder or binder is provided. The locking mechanism as illustrated in the Figures is used as a part of a folder/binder 10 having front cover I1, a rear cover 12 and a spine portion 13, for containing loose documents or pages (not shown). 25 The preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism illustrated includes a first portion 14 associated with the front cover 11 having a tab member 15 and an opening 16 and a second portion 17 associated with the rear cover 12 having a tab member 18 and an opening 19 associated therewith. In use, the tab member 15 of the first portion 14 engages the opening 30 19 of the second portion 17 and the tab member 18 of the second portion 17engages the opening 16 of the first flap portion 14 to lock the front cover 11 of the folder/binder 10 relative to the rear cover 12 of the folder/binder 10. The locking mechanism is operable between a closed (illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) and an open 8 or free condition when the folder/binder 10 is in the closed condition. The tab member 15 of the front cover 11 prevents the first flap portion 14 from folding towards or away from the spine portion 13 of the folder/binder 10 and the tab member 18 of the rear cover 12 prevents the separation of the front 11 and rear 12 covers. 5 Further, the inter-engagement of the respective tab members and openings results in the locking mechanism providing a substantially rigid edge to the folder/binder 10 on the edge opposed to the spine portion 13 of the folder/binder 10, making the folder/binder 10 box-like in configuration. The folder/binder 10 is manufactured of plastic for its strength, 10 relatively light weight and easy of manufacture. The folder/binder 10 illustrated is partially opaque. The folder/binder 10 is at least semi-rigid in order to maintain its shape, particularly when stood on one edge of the front cover, the spine portion and the rear cover as folders generally are stored. 15 The three portions of what can be considered as the folder binder body portion, namely the front cover I1, the spine portion 13 and the rear cover 12, are separated by fold or hinge lines 20 allowing each portion to be folded or rotated about each other portion to which it is attached. The folder/binder 10 is provided with a ring binder mechanism 21. A 20 typical ring binder mechanism functions to secure half-rings arranged in a row upon carrier rails, which are surrounded by a housing of a spring elastic material. The carrier rails are so introduced into the housing that they can assume two rest positions, one open and one closed. The housing functions as a spring element, which retains the half-rings in their open position or in their closed position. 25 The ring binder mechanism 21 is provided with a number of rings, typically three or four spaced evenly over the height of the folder/binder. The front cover 11 of the folder/binder 10 is a substantially planar sheet member having a plurality of ring engaging means 22 to each engage with a ring on the ring binder mechanism 21. Each ring engaging means 22 is in the form of an 30 opening defined by an edge and a protrusion into the opening so that when the front cover 11 is folded to the closed condition, the opening will align with a ring and the ring will be received in the opening. The protrusion will then engage with the part of the ring received in the opening to hold the part of the ring in the opening thereby 9 holding the front cover 1 I in the closed condition until sufficient force is applied to dislodge the ring from the protrusion. This will also assist with the folder/binder retaining the box-like shape. The ring binder mechanism 21 is provided on the rear cover 12 5 adjacent the spine portion 13. The rings of the ring binder mechanism 21 are oriented to align with the openings of the ring engaging means provided on the front cover 11. The spine portion 13 is provided with an opening 23 to facilitate gripping or moving the folder/binder 10. The locking mechanism is used when the folder/binder 10 is in the 10 closed condition (when the front cover 11 is closed). During operation of the locking mechanism, the tab member 15 of the first portion 14 engages the opening 19 of the second portion 17, and the tab member 18 of the second portion 17 engages the opening 16 of the first portion 14 to lock the front cover 11 of the folder/binder 10 relative to the rear cover 12 of the folder/binder 10. 15 The first portion 14 of the locking mechanism is a flap. Typically, the first flap portion 14 extends over substantially the entire height of the folder/binder 10. The first flap portion 14 is of equal dimension to the spine portion 13 in both height and width. By providing a first flap portion 14 of equal dimensions to the spine portion 13, when the first flap portion 14 is folded into a locking position 20 approximately perpendicular to the front cover 11, the closed and locked folder/binder 10 assumes a box-like configuration. The first flap portion 14 is separated from the front cover 11 by a fold or hinge line 20. The first flap portion 14 has a free edge 24 on the edge opposite the fold or hinge line 20. Also provided on the free edge 24 is the tab member 15. The 25 tab member 15 is a tongue-like protrusion from the free edge 24 of the first flap portion 14, located approximately centrally along the edge of the first flap portion 14. The tab member 15 extends from the first flap portion 14 in the same plane. The opening 16 of the first flap portion 15 extends substantially parallel to the fold or hinge line 20 between the first flap portion 15 and the front cover 11. 30 The opening 16 is spaced from the hinge or fold line 20 and is an elongate slot with the smaller dimension of the slot being slightly greater than the thickness of the tab member 18 to be received therein.
10 The second portion 17 of the locking mechanism is associated with the rear cover 12 and has a tab member 18 and an opening 19. The second portion 17 of the locking mechanism also includes a flap portion. The second flap portion 17 does not extend over the entire height of the 5 folder/binder 10, but instead be segmental in shape. The second flap portion 17 is of equal dimension to the spine portion 13 in width but only extends part of the height of the folder/binder 10. The second flap portion 17 is separated from the rear cover12 by a fold or hinge line 20. The second flap portion 17 has an arcuate free edge 25 on the edge opposite the fold or hinge line 20. 10 The tab member 18 is provided on the second flap portion 17 and is spaced from the free edge 25 of the second flap portion 17. A single tab member 18 is provided approximately centrally on the flap portion 17. The tab member 18 is formed from a substantially C-shaped incision in the flap member 17 and providing a fold or hinge line 20 between the tab member 18 and the flap portion 17. The fold or hinge 15 line 20 is provided adjacent to but spaced from the free edge 25 of the flap portion 17 and the C-shaped incision extends toward the fold or hinge line 20 between the flap portion 17 and the rear cover 12. The hinge or fold line 20 of the tab member 18 is spaced from the free edge 25 of the flap portion 17 by a distance similar to the spacing between the opening 16 on the first flap portion 14 and the front cover 11. 20 The tab member 18 is foldable about the fold or hinge line 20 to extend from the flap portion 17 in a plane which is different to that of the flap portion 17. The second flap portion 17 also has an opening 19 associated therewith. The opening 19 is in or through the flap portion 17 immediately adjacent the fold or hinge line 20 between the flap portion 17 and the rear cover 12. The 25 opening 19 extends substantially parallel to the fold or hinge line 20 between the flap portion 17 and the rear cover 12. The opening 19 is an elongate slot with the smaller dimension of the slot being slightly greater than the thickness of the tab member 15 to be received therein. The locking mechanism is moveable between an open and a 30 temporarily locked condition. When in the locked condition, the tab member 15 of the first portion 14 is inserted into the opening 19 associated with the second portion 17 to form a substantially box-like folder/binder 10 as seen in Figure 3. The tab member 18 of the second portion 17 is then folded about the hinge or fold line 20, to I1 enter the opening 16 in the first portion 14 to temporarily lock the first 14 and second portions 17 relative to one another. Suitably, the first 14 and second 15 flap portions are positioned to be one inside the other prior to the locking mechanism being operated to the locked condition. 5 In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in 10 connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. 15 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications 20 within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.